Sharon Owens

Here are some questions I get asked a lot:

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A WRITER?

No, it never crossed my mind, though I have always loved books.

WHAT BOOKS DID YOU LOVE AS A CHILD?

THE BORROWERS

THE BORROWERS AFIELD

THE BORROWERS AFLOAT

THE BORROWERS ALOFT

THE BORROWERS AVENGED, all by Mary Norton

THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by CS Lewis

WHAT BOOKS DO YOU LOVE NOW?

THE MAIDEN DINOSAUR

TEA AT FOUR O'CLOCK, both by Janet McNeill

LADY CHATTERLY'S LOVER by DH Lawrence

THE LONELY PASSION OF JUDITH HEARNE

THE FEAST OF LUPERCAL

AN ANSWER FROM LIMBO

THE LUCK OF GINGER COFFEY, all by Brian Moore

READING IN THE DARK by Seamus Deane

THE COUNTRY GIRLS TRILOGY by Edna O'Brien

BEATRICE by Noelle Harrison

THE RAGGY BOY TRILOGY by Patrick Galvin

THE FALLING ANGELS by John Walsh

MAN OR MANGO? by Lucy Ellmann

THE BLUE TANGO by Eoin McNamee

HOW DO YOU RELAX?

I love gardening. This is my garden in Belfast. We managed to squeeze about 25 trees into a very small space. It’s getting quite cramped now the trees are maturing but it feels like a little secret garden to sit in so we love it. I don't think I could ever move house as I love my garden far too much and also this was our first home together and the only house our daughter has ever known!

WHAT KIND OF FOOD DO YOU LIKE?

I'm a veggie who doesn't like courgettes or aubergines! So eating out is usually quite an adventure. I love salads, pizza, fries, most vegetables especially butternut squash, most cheeses, Indian curries, pretzels and most types of bread, all kinds of fruit and ice-cream. My favourite snack is tea and toast with real butter. I do a mean roast chicken for my daughter Alice, and she loves my bread and onion stuffing made on the frying pan with a little butter and

DO YOU WATCH MUCH TV?

Too much! My favourites are:

MURDER SHE WROTE

POIROT

MIDSOMER MURDERS

MISS MARPLE

MONK

KATH & KIM

FATHER TED

BLACK BOOKS

THE IT CROWD

8 OUT OF 10 CATS

THE FRIDAY NIGHT PROJECT

CORONATION STREET

SEINFELD

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN FASHION?

Well, I would have said no until recently when it was pointed out to me that I love fashion very much: but only certain trends, and I never change my mind about what I like. So, for the last 25 years I have worn (only black) Victorian-style blouses, long waisted overcoats, pointy-toed ankle boots, DM shoes and sandals, palazzo pants and silver costume jewellery. I have long, straight hair and my favourite perfume is the POISON range by Dior, or anything by CHANEL. I have one designer piece: a LULU GUINNESS handbag that dermot

DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?

Yes. It happened to me. My husband Dermot is a wonderful man; strong and supportive yet gentle and thoughtful too. I wouldn't have a career without his encouragement, and I don't think I'd be nearly as happy or well-grounded either. He's my best friend.

The funny thing is, when I first met him, he was really skinny with long black hair and he wore a dog collar and an overcoat from the second World War. Twenty-three years on, he's gained some muscles, shaved his head, and now resembles a Hollywood hit-man. Both looks work for

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

Hopefully with affection by my husband, daughter and close friends.

MY FAVOURITES...

BANDS:

Joy Division

New Order

Bauhaus

Jesus & Mary Chain

Siouxsie & the Banshees

Smiths

Morrissey

Cure

Cocteau Twins

Iggy Pop

Undertones

Papa Roach

XTC

Sex Pistols

Clash

Interpol

Muse

Rammstein

Futureheads

Kooks

KT Tunstall

Best Live Band: Smiths

FILMS...

WILD AT HEART

TRAPPED IN PARADISE

RAISING ARIZONA

AMELIE

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

SWEENEY TODD